How you remove your painter’s tape can be just as crucial as applying it. Proper tape removal can mean the difference of between perfection and a re-paint. So follow these tips carefully.
1. Know when to remove
- Some tapes can be left on the painting surface for more than a week; but this isn’t common.
- Make sure you pay attention to how long the painter’s tape should be left on the surface.
- For best results, remove tape as soon as you’re done painting; this will keep it from hardening and peeling away parts of your paint job.
2. It's all about the angle
- When you remove the tape, slowly pull it toward yourself at a 135 degree angle.
3. If the paint is dry ...
- What if you’re busy on another part of your project and the paint dries before you can remove the tape? Don’t panic.
- Be aware that the tape may not be easy to remove, so don’t just try to pull it off quickly – this could cause paint to come away with the tape and cause an uneven line.
- Carefully use a razor blade to cut the bond between the dried paint and your tape.
4. Multiple coats mean multiple tape jobs
- You may require several coats of paint to complete a job – this means you’ll need to re-tape.
- For the best results, do not leave tape in place as the first coat dries; remove it and re-tape the job to prepare for the second coat.
5. Clean up
- There may be tape residue left on the surface; this can be fixed.
- Use a sponge and a mild detergent, soap and water, window cleaning fluid, or a citrus-based cleaner and gently remove the residue.
- Be sure paint is completely dry before removing residue.
